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That's a really tough decision they made, but ultimately it's the right one. There are ways to neglect a dog that don't include food - a dog that they aren't prepared to take care of financially (and it's not cheap to do so) will only suffer and have a poor quality of life. I think it's very mature of them to put the dog's needs ahead of their own and give it to the authorities who have more resources at hand to find it a good home.

Having a dog is a huge responsibility and should only be considered when you've found secure housing and can commit to taking care of the pet for the rest of it's life. Your friend made the right decision and hopefully the dog will be returned to its owner or will find a new forever home. Looking at the pasadena humane society website I was shocked to see how few of the dogs have been neutered. If you can't afford to have your pet spayed or neutered you shouldn't get one.

I've been a lifelong dog owner and I have to say, unequivocally, that they made the right decision. It was in the best interest of the dog and reinforced their belief that they weren't ready. If you're not ready for the responsibility of a dog (or any pet for that matter), don't get one. That's how we end up with so many pets in animal shelters and pounds to begin with.

I know it's easy to fall in love with that cute face, but wouldn't it be worse to keep the dog, love it, and then realize you couldn't handle it? Not only would they be faced with the same tough decision, but they'd also have to give up their (most likely) stronger emotional attachment to the animal, which only leads to guilt for keeping the dog in the first place.

Thumbs up for doing the right thing! Of course, I hope that they made sure that the shelter they gave the dog to is a no-kill shelter, so that the dog would have a happy future. To all other readers, if you are ready for a dog, please visit your local animal shelter or work with a breed rescue group if you're dead-set on a purebred dog!

The animal shelter website in SF is pretty comprehensive and up to date. It includes photos of the pets, so that anyone who has lost one can just log in and see if their pet is there. So, I think it's great to hand over a lost pet to this org.

providing the shelter is a 'no kill' shelter, i agree with their decision. but even then, it's a tough situation. i hope the progressive ethos in your area will prevail in supporting this dog's life.

the dog had been through a lot just losing his 'belonging,' so, one further step i would recommend to all--when in doubt about the shelter, still seek a breed-specific rescue. if the breed is mixed or unidentifiable, contact private rescues/sanctuaries that do not sell, breed, or commercially use their dogs. those types are not real rescues/sanctuaries. the shelter at least will hopefully screen out anyone seeking to sell dogs as lab fodder. very scary stuff.

first-dog guardianship may be easier than you think. between cesar milan and unclematty.com, there are a lot of really good answers to common problems. expenses are a huge deal, true, but for dogs and cats--but not most birds--you can get pet health insurance.

What a lucky dog to fall into the hands of such responsible people! I wish more people would so carefully consider whether or not they're prepared to take on a high-maintenance pet like a dog.

http://dogdetective.com

If they couldn't take care of her themselves for whatever reason, I think they did the right thing. I am also partial to Dog Detective and they have a lot of success stories.

Right decision only if it is a no-kill shelter. Better idea: find a shelter or private rescue (www.petfinder.org is a great resource) that has foster homes. Offer to foster the dog until the shelter/rescue finds a home for it. That way, they are not making a lifelong commitment, but they can still love the dog (and keep it alive) while helping to make it even more adoptable.

I agree that more people should evaluate whether they can make the emotional and financial commitment to a dog before getting one. Many people think owning a dog is inexpensive as you only need to buy dog food. They don't take into account vet visits, vaccinations, heartworm preventative, teeth cleanings, boarding(for when the owner's want to go on vacation), surgeries, as well as other unforeseen costs.

I'm with Lorena and hope that the dog was taken to a no-kill shelter. If not, hopefully it's not too late to go get her back and hold on to her for a little while longer to give the original owner extra time to find her. Or take her to a no-kill shelter or rescue group.

Unfortunately, no-kill shelters are often full and turn new wards away. =(

A friend and her kids were recently adopted by a cat who now lives in their front yard. They've cleaned him up, feed him, and made great attempts to find his owner. Her husband is allergic to cats, so they can't keep him or bring him in. She's sent out mass e-mails asking for a home and has volunteered to pay for an initial physical exam. That's all she can do. Dogs are different--they can't just camp out. Your friend made a strong and honest effort to do everything she could, and I for one can't judge the right or wrong in that. I was put in that same situation ten years ago and ultimately decided to keep the dog (she's a doll, and I still have her), but if the circumstances had been different, my roommate at the time and I probably would've had to drop the dog off at the humane society, too.

Please! Make absolutely sure it's a no-kill shelter, otherwise this pup is looking at a grim, short life. In some places, as little as 5 days. If that's the case, convince your friend to do the best thing: get her back and search around for a local rescue group, foster home or at the very least, a no-kill facility. They're out there. It'll take a little time and effort to find her the best temporary home. Life in a cage is bitter, but save her life.

So, Applesauce is friendly, sweet, well-behaved and healthy? She wandered into their lives at a time they both thought about owning? Hmmm.

I agree with others that first-time ownership is a daunting proposition. It can be bewildering and scary, especially with young puppies. But this sweetie seems like she knows the ropes. Dogs are resilient; it's usually people who make trouble. All the information & advice one needs is available at the library or online. You DO need to have at least enough $ for food (not costly) & basic vet care (there are clinics that work with you.) You need to walk her, or have her walked, a couple, few times a day. A nylon collar & leash, soft brush, a water & food bowl, not much else. Most of all, you need patience and loving hearts.

When are we every really ready for anything? Sometimes that perfect moment never arrives. My first pet came from the mean city streets. Initial fears of doing everything right, and worries about financing her care, dissipated with time. I've been repaid with pure joy a thousand times over.

Whatever your friend does, it's clear she's most interested in the best for Applesauce. And that's what it's all about.

Reiterating everyone else's comment: as long as it was a no-kill shelter, they did okay.

But... I have to agree with sonnet -- are we every really ready? It's like having a baby -- when it is about to happen to you, you think you won't be, that it is too much of a responsibility, but then, you become a parent, and it all melts away. They sound like responsible and loving people, just the sort who would have made great dog owners. Fear of the unknown won out over the promise of love and joy.

Just to set peoples' minds at ease - unless things have changed really, really recently, the entire city of San Francisco is no-kill.

'In 1994, the San Francisco SPCA along with the San Francisco Department of Animal care and Control guaranteed a home to every "adoptable" dog and cat who entered the shelter system. [6]. Since then the city of San Francisco (the SPCA along with the Department of Animal Care and Control) has consistently been able to keep San Francisco as a no-kill city i.e. all adoptable animals found a home. In 2005-2006, The SF-SPCA claimed that the live-release rate of all dogs and cats in the city of San Francisco was 82%'

But I agree with mjoe: A rescue would have been the way to go. Most are full right now, but if you had agreed to foster the dog in your home and bring him to adoption events, they would have paid for his medical expenses and you just would have covered food. The cost of food would have been tax deductable on your part with a receipt from the rescue.

I think you should have kept Applesauce. Go back and get him/her. I wasn't 'ready' in college for my cat Misty and we had 19 wonderful years together.

If the dog looks well taken care of... then it probably is. Maybe the dog became separated from its owner and was genuinely lost, however more likely it was just playing in the rain and can find its way home. Hopefully someone isn't looking right now for their dog, snatched from the street by a well-meaning passerby.

Go get the dog.

Adorable dog. I think they made the right decision, though. I volunteered at an animal shelter here in Seattle, and it wasn't a horrible place. Lots of animals went to great families. I also think that if anyone is looking for this dog they are likely to check at the animal shelter.
Just a quick note on no-kill shelters/rescues: as someone else pointed out, they are often full. Because of this, they may funnel animals to other shelters that do use euthanasia. They're far from a miracle solution. At the shelter where I volunteered essentially no adoptable animals were euthanized. Obviously this varies from shelter to shelter, as some handle such a large volume of animals that they have to resort to euthanasia or turn pets away. Personally I think that euthanizing some animals, while incredibly sad, is better than not providing people with a place to take unwanted pets which might then end up dumped on the street starving, freezing, and most importantly reproducing.

I was in a similar situation a year ago. I knew I wanted a dog, but was not in a good situation financially. I wanted to be a great dog owner and I'd decided to wait until I was happy in a long-term job and was truly out on my own.

Then, accidentally while surfing the web I saw a photo of a dog for adoption in my area. It was a total fluke. And I spent about a week trying to get her out of my head, but I couldn't. I went to see her, but was very hesitant. Like your friend, I view getting a dog as a 15-year commitment....making it the biggest decision I've made in my life (I was only 23).

I brought her home and I cannot imagine life without her. Yes, it has been difficult to manage all the new expenses (not to mention my penchant for pricey eco-chic dog supplies), but well worth the strain.

I HOPE THEY HAVE NOTIFIED THE SHELTER THAT IF SHE IS NOT ADOPTED OR REUNITED WITH HER OWNER THAT THEY WILL ADOPT HER. HOW ELSE COULD YOU SAY YOU'VE BECOME ATTACHED TO HER IF YOU'RE WILLING TO LET HER BE KILLED? And if it's a no-kill shelter, I'm sure you could provide the dog with a better home than a kennel...even if it is on a budget. Other than vet expenses, dogs don't actually need that much. It's us people who make it more costly than it is. Food, water, exercise and a safe, soft place to sleep. That's kind of it.

If it were me, I would take a chance. You don't want to regret this.

I went through a somewhat similar situation about a year and a half ago. I had been thinking about getting a dog (I've always wanted one), but ultimately decided that with my demanding job/long hours and living in a small NYC apartment, it wouldn't be fair to the dog. That's when a friend asked if I wanted to adopt a puppy from him. I completely fell in love with this puppy, and I kept trying to figure out how to keep him, but after two weeks, the best thing I did for him was to personally find him a new home. The bonus: he's now with one of my close friends and I get to see him often!

I just checked website for the Pasadena Humane Society. Applesauce isn't listed yet. Unfortunately, they clearly state: "Our shelter's open-door policy means that we accept all animals from the cities we service. By law, owner-surrenders may be made available for adoption immediately and may be euthanised after 5 days."

On no. Adopt her & get her out of there. They'll provide a low-cost spay plus a free vet exam. I hope your friend will take the plunge, temporarily, until a foster home or local group takes her in. I'll just add, she's so far ahead of the game ---she already knows a sweet disposition goes with that face.

I'll chip in (can you post an email or something?)

As a brand new, first-time dog owner - I think your friends made the right choice. I did tons of research and thought about it for years and the responsibility, $ and commitment is STILL hitting me, daily!

Sometimes its harder to make what you know is the right decision. Once they decide they are truly ready for a dog - that will be one lucky pup!

Oops. So sorry, I read more carefully and linked to the***Small Black Female Dog FOUND*** (mission district)
She is the cutest thing! Thank G-d she's safe, but it must have been nearly impossible to part with her. My offer stands! If she loves you, love her back.

They made the right decision.
But you all are leaving some people out of the equation... you're all talking about two roommates and a dog.
what about the neighbors below who have to listen it running around all day - or God-forbid barking and yapping all day?

Even if they have a yard... more neighbors are exposed to their four hour a day joy (because that's really all the time working people have in a day to spend with a dog.)

Besides, they are roommates now - what happens when they move on? who gets the dog then?

Take it to the shelter and make sure someone with an acrage or better can give it a proper home.

oh my goodness.. 5 days? that's disgusting. small-time, low-commitment shelters in general are disgusting.

animals are a lot more resilient than we give them credit for. as a full-time vegan & lifelong pet owner & animal rights advocate, i am full of sympathy for a dog not having the proper home but in most cases ANY home is a good one. even short-term. a 3x3' cage is no way for any animal to live.

i rescued a puppy impulsively when i was younger. i was not ready for the cost or financial obligation and had to give him up (luckily to a friend). however considering the puppy that wasn't rescued from the white trash haven i got him from was run over & left to die in a dirt driveway, i think i did the right thing.

If this dog appears well cared for it clearly belongs to someone - the absolute right thing to do is to take it to a shelter where the owners can reclaim it - I would suggest posting some posters around the neighbourhood so the owners know what you've done with it

Don't be tempted to keep what appear to be "stray" animals if they looked well cared for - I have known several instances of people being taken to court over alledgedly "stealing" someone elses pet - not fun at all!

God, circumstance, whatever you want to call it, often hands us things we imagine we can't take on, only to discover we were, in fact, ready. Maybe the roommate was in the right place at the right time and handed a potentially life-changing gift. Damn, if only we knew the universe's intentions for us with even a little bit of certainty . . .

Whether your friends made the right decision or not is hard to determine without knowing more. That said, they (or YOU) need to Post FOUND DOG signs in the neighborhood, local vets, pet stores...everywhere someone looking for their dog might go to post LOST DOG signs.

If your friends did not do that before taking the dog to the pound, it must be done NOW. When they took the dog into their care, they assumed a responsibility to her. The least they need to do is make EVERY EFFORT to find her owner/guardian.

In the meantime, I suggest you consider taking some action. Try to find a foster home for her; Call some rescue groups, ask your other friends with dogs, etc. Get her out of that shelter as soon as you can. I suspect you will regret it if you don't.

Good luck.

I really meant to express myself exactly as genjenn did.

I was involved in Dog Rescue for about 4-5 years (and have the debt still to prove it). Couple issues...if the dog was in San Francisco, the chances of not being put down is MUCH higher than the Los Angeles area. LA shelters are a mess. 1) You bring the dog to the shelter closest to where you found him (unless you KNOW it's a horror shelter). This is where OWNERS LOOK. Trust me descriptions don't always jive for craigs list, in papers etc. Now here's the fun part, 2) if you cannot live with the idea that the dog might be euthanized, you put a red flag on the dog saying you'll adopt if need be. OR you show up the day that's the end of the holding period. (sometimes putting a red flag on a dog can actually deter possible adopters). 3) During that time you contact every rescue you can to see if you're willing to pay to bail the dog and vet care if they'll take the dog. You'll get LOTS of NOs. Even see if they'll allow the dog under their umbrella if you foster the dog for them...4) if you haven't gotten any response from a rescue organization to help out, search your heart for what is right for you.

A dog is a huge commitment, not to be made lightly. Although I agree the universe sometimes hands us things we may or may not be ready for, the only people who can answer that are the people directly involved.

When I adopted my dog, I got her microchipped right away. That's in addition to a tag and a license. A dog that's not microchipped isn't a dog that is "well taken care of" in my opinion.

There is no such thing as NO KILL shelter. I have been doing cat rescue for three years. SF SPCA 'cherry picks' the most adoptable animals from SCAC. They pass on any animal that isn't perfect-healthy and good temperament. Then SCAC will offer those animals that it considers difficult adopt to rescues. If the rescues don't take them, guess what? Yeah, they will be euthanized. Rescues will spend the money and take the time to work with animals that need to be rehabilitated because
their 'owner' didn't feel like spending the money on vet bills or taking the time to work on behavioral issues.
I can understand and appreciate that you might not feel ready for a pet. However, dropping it off at the shelter is not a humane solution. Although SFAC is better than many other shelters, it is a stressful and terrifying experience for most animals. Offering to foster for a dog rescue is a terrific idea! SF has some fabulous dog rescues and they always need foster homes. Fostering a dog or cat is a great option for those who aren't prepared for a permanent committment-and you would be saving a life!

catrescue, you're right--by 'no kill' i meant, and should have said, 'private' rescue, or better, sanctuary -- if only there were more Best Friends.

shelters are madness. the rendering business relies on dead animals to make products--grim, grisly business. let's end it.

lesley et al.--i agree.